Today’s writing prompts are about “showing” through dialogue. Show what characters are thinking, show their personalities, their quirks, move the story forward through dialogue. Remember, with freewrites, the writing is spontaneous. There is no crossing out. This could be called “practice writing,” as Natalie Goldberg says. With dialogue we can show character, scene and drama. Use these prompts for practice writing. Respond as your fictional characters would respond. Or, respond in the first person, “I,” with yourself as the primary character . . . You playing the character of you. Prompt: Write a scene, where two characters talk about what they are afraid of. Prompt: Same or different characters. One confesses “I’ve lied about . . .” Prompt: Same or different characters: “I wish I would not have . . . ” You can have a turning point – where the drama takes an unexpected turn, excitement mounting. Throw is…
Category: Prompts
Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over . . . Prompt #270
Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she began to fly. If you have been following the prompts on The Write Spot Blog, you know what to do. If you are new to freewriting: set your timer for 15-20 minutes and just start writing. Write whatever comes up for you. Shush your inner critic, invite your internal editor to sit outside the room. This is your time to write freely and openly. Just as the caterpillar’s cocoon morphs into a butterfly, let your writing become whatever it wants to be. Just write.
Does your heart hurt? Prompt #269
Does your heart hurt? I’ve been hearing “My heart hurts” from several friends these past few days. And when I hear their stories, my heart hurts, also. What to do? I believe in healing through writing. So, let’s write. Write about: Does your heart hurt? Write all the details you can about this. What happened? Write all the details that you know. If you were directly involved: Be as detailed and as explicit as you can. When did it happen? Day of week? Time of day? Where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you wearing? Were you standing or sitting? If you weren’t directly involved: Write as many details as you know. Then, focus on why you are affected. What connects you to what happened? Why are you affected so strongly? Read the next part after you have written about why your heart hurts and how and why…
Unplug . . . a moment for yourself. Prompt #268
“We often rate our days by what we’ve accomplished, applauding ourselves for a workout logged, an errand completed, a task crossed off. But consider grading today on a new curve. Give yourself credit not for doing but simply for being—for taking time to sit alone, listening, daydreaming, creating space to think. Only then can you connect with the most important person in your world: yourself. “— author unknown Imagine you have all the time in the world. There isn’t anything you have to do. Whatever needs to be done in your real world is magically done for you. In this dream world, you have no worries and no cares. You are able to unplug and relax into the softness and enjoy the moments of bliss. As you enjoy this time of freedom, you connect with the most important person in your world: yourself. Writing prompt: If you could unplug, what…
You have survived. Prompt #267
The pink ladies are about to bloom in Northern California where I live. Their proper name is Amaryllis belladonna. “A plant gone wild and therefore become rugged, indestructible, indomitable, in short: tough, resilient, like anyone or thing has to be in order to survive.” — The Ubiquitous Day Lily of July by David Budbill This last sentence in The Ubiquitous Day Lily of July reminds me of our pink ladies and is the inspiration for today’s writing prompt. Write about something you have survived.
Something you will never forget . . . Prompt #266
Today’s prompt is inspired by Hal Zina Bennett, Write From The Heart For some people, summer means sipping cool drinks. For others, summer might mean sitting around a campfire after a day of hiking, swimming, exploring. Summer might mean telling stories —tall tales or short ones— while lounging on a porch, a patio or a boat deck. There is a rhythm to summer, unlike any other time of year. Summer ’round the campfire brings out story tellers. The shaman storyteller of ancient times, embraces his own life experience, tells stories to the community that gathers in a circle around him, a fire blazing at its center. In the telling of what most deeply touched his life, the shaman helps others to see that they are not alone. And in the process both storyteller and listeners are healed. Imagine now, that you are sitting ’round a campfire, very comfortable with the…
Note to your younger self . . . Prompt #265
Before you start writing on this prompt, how about a little relaxation? Sit back. Relax into your chair. Both feet flat on the floor. Hands resting lightly. Take a deep breath in. Relax it out. Roll your shoulders in a circle. Other direction. Drop your chin to your chest and roll your head in a circle. Other direction. Take a deep breath in. Ease it on out. Now, We’re going to time travel back in years. Think back to the person you were ten years ago. See yourself as in a snapshot. Now go back to when you were 25. Remember what you looked like. What were you doing? Just take a moment to remember yourself at 25. Now go back to when you were twenty. Take a look at yourself when you were 15. What were you like at 15? What influenced you? When you’re ready, write a note…
Here and There. Prompt #264
Today’s writing prompt comes in two parts. Before writing on this prompt, I have a suggestion. Do a little relaxation first. Just for a few minutes. Use your own method or follow this method: Relax into your chair. Feet flat on the floor. Hands loose, resting on your thighs. Take a big, deep breath in, feel your chest expand. Let it out like a deflated balloon. Another deep breath in. And release. This time, when you take a deep breath in, bring your shoulders up to your ears. Shrug them down hard with the out breath. Another one. Let your head drop forward on your chest. Rest there for a moment. Rotate your head in a circle. Opposite direction. As you read about the next prompt, please place the palm of your writing hand on any place in your body that calls for attention. If you can’t put your hand…
While you were out. Prompt # 263
If you are of a certain age, you might remember those little pink telephone message notepads, “While you were out.” Back in the days when executives had secretaries, and before answering machines, we would fill out these forms with information: Who the message was for. The date. Who called and why. There were little boxes to check: Telephoned. Came to See You. Returned your call. Please call. Will call again. Wants to see you. And my favorite, “Urgent.” I don’t know why it’s my favorite, perhaps it appeals to the dramatic aspect. And there is a larger space to write a message. Today’s Prompt: While you were out. A variation of this prompt: The red light is blinking on the telephone answering machine. Or “you have one new message” on your cell phone. You hit “play” or “voice mail” and listen. You are shocked to hear. . . I can…
Worst and Best . . . Prompt #262
Think about this past weekend . . . this past week . . . this past month. Take a few minutes to reflect how things have gone, are going. When you are ready, write about the worst thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. When you are done with that, write about the best thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. Worst and Best. Just write.